Our first child was born in March, and my wife liked that time of year for childbirth. However, George had other ideas. We welcomed him into the world on May 4 in San Antonio, the Alamo city! He was a happy little guy, and responded well to our moves to Big Spring, Boston, Allred, and to Santa Fe. There he began to limp. On taking him to the doctor, we found that he had a hip ailment they called Perthy's disease. The top of the femur had become porous and was flat on top. The only known cure was to keep him healthy and keep his weight off that leg. A brace was ordered. He walked around on that brace, and was the envy of his friends, who had no brace!
After a move to Roswell, NM, his doctor ordered him to stay in bed. We built a platform on his wagon, and his big brother pulled him around, up and down a ramp at the steps, and he kept a smile on his face all the time he was awake.
He progressed to crutches. These became his "machine guns" as he played war. Finally, just before he entered the first grade, the crutches were abandoned.
He liked school, but one day decided to "play hooky"--skip school. He spent a miserable afternoon trying to hide near some neighbors house until school was out. The neighbor notified his mother as to George's antics, so she wasn't worried. Finally, he saw that school was out so he went home. His miserable afternoon caused him to never skip school again!
His doctor told us that he could now have a bicycle. I brought one home while he was at school, and put it in his room. After school was out that afternoon, I followed him into his room. When he saw the bicycle he ran toward me, jumped up, grabbed me around the neck, and locked his legs around my waist! He was one happy little boy!
His next crisis involved his riding on a motor scooter and running into the side of a moving automobile. He was in a cast for quite awhile. He had just met a new girlfriend when the accident happened. She showed her loyalty, by staying by his side in the hospital and showing her friendship afterwards. When they were 19 they married.
He was drafted into the army during the Vietnam war, was injured during training, and received a medical discharge.
He attended college at Texas Tech and graduated from the University of Houston. He then graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and became a minister in southern Illinois. While working full time he was able to earn a PH.D. degree from Southern Illinois University.
He now ministers to students as a tenured associate professor of health education at Lamar University, Beaumont, TX. One day, while walking to class, his legs shut down on him. Following surgery, he became a paraplegic. He is wheelchair-bound, but drives himself to work and teaches his classes at the University.
Throughout his life he has refused to give in to adversity. He keeps a smile on his face, and is dearly loved by his family, students, and all who know him! He and his wife have one married son who is a psychiatrist in Oklahoma.
In addition to the role that George's wife, Mary, plays in his life, another precious lady, Marva, a home health care lady, appears at his home five or more mornings per week, to get him ready for his day's activities.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Our First Son...Jim
The year was 2020 (fake date...real son). We were expecting our first child. There was no way to determine the sex of the child, but the doctor thought it might be a boy. We wanted to name our first son after me with a Jr. added. Since I went by my middle name, we would call him the nickname, Jimmy. He was due on March 14.
I was working at the Social Security Board office in Amarillo. I had told the account number clerk to pick out a good number for Jimmy. She came to me March 13, told me about a number ending in 2020, but it had to be issued that day. I told her to go ahead.
Labor started during the night, we went to the hospital, and were told the baby would be born around 10:00 a.m. They gave her something and she went to sleep. She awoke around 9:30 and was dreading the delivery ordeal, but I told her she didn't have anything to worry about, he was born about 7:30 while she was still asleep.
I was in the room when he was born, but they told me to stand out of the way, so if I fainted I wouldn't cause a problem. In a few minutes I heard "It's a boy!"
We loved that little guy! It was so much fun to come home from work and get to play with him!We lived in a tiny apartment, and Jimmy's room was a closet. We took him everywhere we went--to the movies, to the grocery store, etc.
During his early years we lived in Amarillo, Sweetwater, San Angelo, Lufkin, Houston, San Antonio, Big Spring, Boston, and he had his fourth birthday in San Francisco.
These were WWII years. I was away from him in Hawaii for a year, and I remember what a thrill it was to see him when I flew in to Big Spring after I was discharged. His mother had dressed him and his little brother in little U. S. Navy uniforms.
Jimmy asked me one day, "Daddy, why to you smile every time you look at us?" It was obvious, I loved my sons.
We moved to Santa Fe for two years, and then he grew up in Roswell, NM, where he attended school from 2nd grade through high school.
We took him to church regularly, and one Sunday morning he went forward at invitation time and accepted Christ as his Saviour. The night he was baptized I stayed at home with his little brother, and my wife took him. When they returned home, I found out that both of them had been baptized!
We purchased our second home in l956 very close to Roswell High School, where he graduated.
He didn't show much interest in the girls at our church. He said they were all "hawk noses".
He had a job most of high school, and was a hard worker. He bought his first car, and I remember going to the bank with him to get it financed.
He graduated from high school, spent six months in the army reserve, went to Texas Tech for one semester, and he started dating Marlene. She sang in our church choir and sat right in front of me. She was definitely NOT a hawk nose!
Marlene's family moved to California, and Jimmy transferred to a junior college near where she lived. We went to the wedding in California. They were both 19!
He returned to Texas Tech, was recalled to the army, returned to Tech and graduated there with a mechanical engineering degree.
Jim (we dropped calling him Jimmy) has had a wonderful career. He worked for Boeing Aircraft his first year out of college, living in Seattle. He transferred to General Electric in Boston, and then to Texas Instruments in Dallas.
While in Dallas he started to graduate school at Southern Methodist, University, earning masters and doctors degrees in engineering in mechanical engineering .
Texas Tech hired him as an Assistant Professor of mechanical engineering. He later became a full professor and associate dean of the college of engineering.
He had always loved research. (As a teenager he had built a "still" to make alcohol under the house, and later set his room on fire with some experiment he was doing.)
He transferred from Tech to a government research laboratory, where he still works.
As with most fathers and sons, we had a few battles during the teen years. One day many years ago, I made a deal with him. I said "If you will forgive me for being a lousy dad at times, I will forgive you for whatever it was that you did." We shook hands on the deal. He has been a wonderful son, and I am very proud of him!
Jim and his wife, Marlene, have had a wonderful marriage, and are the parents of two sons, a chemical engineer and an architect. They have seven wonderful grandchildren.
I was working at the Social Security Board office in Amarillo. I had told the account number clerk to pick out a good number for Jimmy. She came to me March 13, told me about a number ending in 2020, but it had to be issued that day. I told her to go ahead.
Labor started during the night, we went to the hospital, and were told the baby would be born around 10:00 a.m. They gave her something and she went to sleep. She awoke around 9:30 and was dreading the delivery ordeal, but I told her she didn't have anything to worry about, he was born about 7:30 while she was still asleep.
I was in the room when he was born, but they told me to stand out of the way, so if I fainted I wouldn't cause a problem. In a few minutes I heard "It's a boy!"
We loved that little guy! It was so much fun to come home from work and get to play with him!We lived in a tiny apartment, and Jimmy's room was a closet. We took him everywhere we went--to the movies, to the grocery store, etc.
During his early years we lived in Amarillo, Sweetwater, San Angelo, Lufkin, Houston, San Antonio, Big Spring, Boston, and he had his fourth birthday in San Francisco.
These were WWII years. I was away from him in Hawaii for a year, and I remember what a thrill it was to see him when I flew in to Big Spring after I was discharged. His mother had dressed him and his little brother in little U. S. Navy uniforms.
Jimmy asked me one day, "Daddy, why to you smile every time you look at us?" It was obvious, I loved my sons.
We moved to Santa Fe for two years, and then he grew up in Roswell, NM, where he attended school from 2nd grade through high school.
We took him to church regularly, and one Sunday morning he went forward at invitation time and accepted Christ as his Saviour. The night he was baptized I stayed at home with his little brother, and my wife took him. When they returned home, I found out that both of them had been baptized!
We purchased our second home in l956 very close to Roswell High School, where he graduated.
He didn't show much interest in the girls at our church. He said they were all "hawk noses".
He had a job most of high school, and was a hard worker. He bought his first car, and I remember going to the bank with him to get it financed.
He graduated from high school, spent six months in the army reserve, went to Texas Tech for one semester, and he started dating Marlene. She sang in our church choir and sat right in front of me. She was definitely NOT a hawk nose!
Marlene's family moved to California, and Jimmy transferred to a junior college near where she lived. We went to the wedding in California. They were both 19!
He returned to Texas Tech, was recalled to the army, returned to Tech and graduated there with a mechanical engineering degree.
Jim (we dropped calling him Jimmy) has had a wonderful career. He worked for Boeing Aircraft his first year out of college, living in Seattle. He transferred to General Electric in Boston, and then to Texas Instruments in Dallas.
While in Dallas he started to graduate school at Southern Methodist, University, earning masters and doctors degrees in engineering in mechanical engineering .
Texas Tech hired him as an Assistant Professor of mechanical engineering. He later became a full professor and associate dean of the college of engineering.
He had always loved research. (As a teenager he had built a "still" to make alcohol under the house, and later set his room on fire with some experiment he was doing.)
He transferred from Tech to a government research laboratory, where he still works.
As with most fathers and sons, we had a few battles during the teen years. One day many years ago, I made a deal with him. I said "If you will forgive me for being a lousy dad at times, I will forgive you for whatever it was that you did." We shook hands on the deal. He has been a wonderful son, and I am very proud of him!
Jim and his wife, Marlene, have had a wonderful marriage, and are the parents of two sons, a chemical engineer and an architect. They have seven wonderful grandchildren.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
My Sister Merle
My sister Merle was three years older than I was. As a little boy I remember fighting with her occasionally. One day I hit her with something and received a stern "boys don't hit girls" message from my mother. My punishment was having to go in the house and let my mother wash or cut my hair, and I hated both! That sounds pretty stupid, I know.
One Christmas I had seen a little steam engine at the toy store, and really wanted it for Christmas (instead of the tools I usually asked for). Santa Claus brought it (although I never believed in Santa Claus).
I lighted the little alcohol burner, steam built up, and the engine started running! I was so excited! It had a short run. I accidentally knocked it over, it blew up, the alcohol spilled out, started a fire, and Merle's new doll's hair caught fire! She was so mad at me!
Her doll had painted hair under the other hair, so it wasn't a total loss. But, alas, my steam engine never ran again!
In our teen years we became good friends. I even double dated with her a few times.
Another time, I remember a beauty contest was being held at Clovis, New Mexico... nine miles away. Merle won it. She was so very pretty and we were all excited about it.
One day my Dad came to me and asked "Did you know that your sister is going to 'jump over the broomstick'?" That meant that she was engaged to be married. She married in our living room with my Dad officiating.
They lived in White Deer, TX, so we didn't see her very often. I remember when she would visit we were so excited and she nearly always brought gifts of some sort.
My senior year in high school I went to school one day and told everyone I had a niece!
Through the years we visited back and forth at Christmas, vacation time, etc. I always had a good relationship with her.
She died at 85, and we really have missed her!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
A Note From Cheryl
As the baby of the family and the only girl, my perspective of my Dad may be quite a bit different than that of my three brothers.
Spoiled...probably....moody...definately...made Dad late...not too much.
Okay...My Dad was fairly easy going until it came to being on time and getting a task done right when he said to do it...whatever it was. About the only time I saw him riled up was when I was about to make him late for church or work.
I remember taking a load of makeup, hairspray and the like in the car to finish getting ready for church because we couldn't be late...even though we were always one of the first families to get there. I remember my Dad getting upset "on tape" when we were not moving fast enough in getting the car packed for a trip.
(Footnote on the trip thing...His idea of "getting up at our leasure" was 6:00 a.m. That does not fit into teen time which would fall in the neighborhood of about 1:00 p.m.)
Then there was the time when he was celebrating some landmark anniversary at work and the office was planning a surprise party for him. I was the perfect person to make him late. He was fuming, and my Mom and I were in the bedroom laughing our heads off. He felt kind of sheepish when he found out we were just giving the crew time to get everything ready for the surprise.
All in all though, if there was a merit badge which could be given for putting up with the antics of four children, he would get it.
What other father would go to the store for a panic stricken teenage girl and buy her a comb because hers just wasn't working. In fact, he bought me an assortment just to make sure I was covered. I'm glad he's my Dad...and I'm glad he's loved me all these many years...Thanks Dad.
Spoiled...probably....moody...definately...made Dad late...not too much.
Okay...My Dad was fairly easy going until it came to being on time and getting a task done right when he said to do it...whatever it was. About the only time I saw him riled up was when I was about to make him late for church or work.
I remember taking a load of makeup, hairspray and the like in the car to finish getting ready for church because we couldn't be late...even though we were always one of the first families to get there. I remember my Dad getting upset "on tape" when we were not moving fast enough in getting the car packed for a trip.
(Footnote on the trip thing...His idea of "getting up at our leasure" was 6:00 a.m. That does not fit into teen time which would fall in the neighborhood of about 1:00 p.m.)
Then there was the time when he was celebrating some landmark anniversary at work and the office was planning a surprise party for him. I was the perfect person to make him late. He was fuming, and my Mom and I were in the bedroom laughing our heads off. He felt kind of sheepish when he found out we were just giving the crew time to get everything ready for the surprise.
All in all though, if there was a merit badge which could be given for putting up with the antics of four children, he would get it.
What other father would go to the store for a panic stricken teenage girl and buy her a comb because hers just wasn't working. In fact, he bought me an assortment just to make sure I was covered. I'm glad he's my Dad...and I'm glad he's loved me all these many years...Thanks Dad.
Monday, February 12, 2007
A Note From Sarah
"I never had the awesome opportunity of being around Uncle Hassler a whole lot, but when I was around him it was always special.
I love the way his heart is towards the Lord and how the joy and positive attitude he has reflects Christ to others. I have always loved hearing his stories and the way Nana has always told me how special a brother he is to her.
I also really appreciate the encouraging notes and birthday cards as well as the verses and "counseling" my husband & I received from him in the mail. The marriage magazine subscription has also been great for us starting out this first year married.
Uncle Hassler is such an example to me of someone who wants to live life to the fullest and continue to run the race. No matter what struggles or losses he has experienced, he continually looks forward to his eternal reward and place in Heaven.
Thank you Uncle Hassler for being so kind and loving an example to me to never give up on the things I want and God wants with my life." Sarah
I love the way his heart is towards the Lord and how the joy and positive attitude he has reflects Christ to others. I have always loved hearing his stories and the way Nana has always told me how special a brother he is to her.
I also really appreciate the encouraging notes and birthday cards as well as the verses and "counseling" my husband & I received from him in the mail. The marriage magazine subscription has also been great for us starting out this first year married.
Uncle Hassler is such an example to me of someone who wants to live life to the fullest and continue to run the race. No matter what struggles or losses he has experienced, he continually looks forward to his eternal reward and place in Heaven.
Thank you Uncle Hassler for being so kind and loving an example to me to never give up on the things I want and God wants with my life." Sarah
Thursday, February 1, 2007
My Half Birthday
As I was rudely was awakened by my alarm, I was dreaming that a little penguin had followed me home, and was chattering to come in my house and help me celebrate my half -birthday. But, alas, no penguin. I had watched the penguin show on TV before going to bed.
My half-birthday? What is that?
The last few years I jokingly tell my friends that I am celebrating my half-birthday on February 1. I thanked God this morning for seeing me halfway through another birth year (I was born on August 1). I have previously prayed that the Lord would use me well into my 90's to help couples prepare for and maintain good marriages. Now, 90 is just six months away!
I will celebrate by going to the men's prayer group this morning to pray for each other and others in our church who are having problems. One of the couples I will pray for is a couple I met on the plane Christmas Eve. He has cancer,, and was returning from Mexico following treatment.
With the Lord's help I plan to make my half-birthday a pleasant and rewarding one.
My half-birthday? What is that?
The last few years I jokingly tell my friends that I am celebrating my half-birthday on February 1. I thanked God this morning for seeing me halfway through another birth year (I was born on August 1). I have previously prayed that the Lord would use me well into my 90's to help couples prepare for and maintain good marriages. Now, 90 is just six months away!
I will celebrate by going to the men's prayer group this morning to pray for each other and others in our church who are having problems. One of the couples I will pray for is a couple I met on the plane Christmas Eve. He has cancer,, and was returning from Mexico following treatment.
With the Lord's help I plan to make my half-birthday a pleasant and rewarding one.
My Courtship with Ann
I had been in the same church with Ann and her late husband for many years, but I had never had a conversation with her.
One evening I attended a "42" party to which Ann had also been invited. I noticed that she was a lot of fun, but still didn't get involved in any conversation with her.
A short time later, I was walking in the local Mall for my usual morning exercise. I saw her approaching me as we walked, so decided to turn and walk with her. We walked around and around the inside of the Mall, laughing and joking all the way! She was fun!
We accidentally met a time or two, walked together, and then meeting at 7:00 a.m. on Monday through Friday became a pattern. She was out of the city during part of December, but my January to May calendar pages are full of dates. Each page has this statement at the top: "Walked with Ann most mornings." The first person to arrive would walk around and around just inside the Mall entrance. I remember how I looked forward to seeing her smiling face. Then we would walk around and around for about two miles, tell each other "goodbye" and go home.
The January calendar had these entries: 17th, "Dinner at Ann's house 6:00 p.m." 26th "Ate supper with Ann (her 78th birthday)." 31st "Took Ann to Half Night of Prayer 6:00 p.m.and to Ann's at 8:00.
She gave me a pecan pie."
February. 4th "To Ann's house for choc. pie 8:00." 14th (Valentine Day). :Date with Ann 5:00 p.m. Steak and Ale." We met some friends coming out of the cafe, and they told us we wouldn't get in without a reservation. We walked in, and were seated immediately. (On our way back to my car, Ann took my arm, and I will never forget the thrill I felt from her touch.) 16th. "Started sitting with Ann in morning services." 17. "Spent evening at Ann's."20th "Hosted, with Ann, 42 party at my house." (She brought the desert.). 22nd. "Watched TV at Ann's house." On the 23'rd I was to have a birthday dinner with my daughter's family at Steak and Ale. I didn't tell them I was bringing Ann. My daughter was surprised, but gave Ann a big hug, and we had a great time.
Later that day, Ann left town to babysit a new great-granddaughter. She would leave on Sunday and come back on Friday. This continued through March, and I saw Ann regularly on the weekends. During the week we would call and write each other. The granddaughter with whom she was staying became vitally interested in our romance, and would say such things in the evening as "Did he call?" "Did you get a letter?"
Late in March, she discontinued baby sitting, and I saw her nearly every day of the week--at her house, my house, at parties, at church.
On April 26, I asked Ann to marry me! We called all our kids and told them! We purchased the rings on May 2, and married in front of the fireplace in her living room on May26. Our pastor, Dr. D. L. Lowrie performed the ceremony. About 40 people attended, with standing room only. We had the reception at our house.
We didn't have a formal honeymoon, but just beginning our life together in her home was all the h0honeymoon we needed.
This was a whirlwind romance, but we had a great marriage!
If I did something that offended her, I would apologize, and almost immediately she would end it with saying "I'm sorry I was ugly."
Following heart surgery, she died on the day after our 7th anniversary. The church auditorium was packed for her funeral. She was dearly beloved by all!
One evening I attended a "42" party to which Ann had also been invited. I noticed that she was a lot of fun, but still didn't get involved in any conversation with her.
A short time later, I was walking in the local Mall for my usual morning exercise. I saw her approaching me as we walked, so decided to turn and walk with her. We walked around and around the inside of the Mall, laughing and joking all the way! She was fun!
We accidentally met a time or two, walked together, and then meeting at 7:00 a.m. on Monday through Friday became a pattern. She was out of the city during part of December, but my January to May calendar pages are full of dates. Each page has this statement at the top: "Walked with Ann most mornings." The first person to arrive would walk around and around just inside the Mall entrance. I remember how I looked forward to seeing her smiling face. Then we would walk around and around for about two miles, tell each other "goodbye" and go home.
The January calendar had these entries: 17th, "Dinner at Ann's house 6:00 p.m." 26th "Ate supper with Ann (her 78th birthday)." 31st "Took Ann to Half Night of Prayer 6:00 p.m.and to Ann's at 8:00.
She gave me a pecan pie."
February. 4th "To Ann's house for choc. pie 8:00." 14th (Valentine Day). :Date with Ann 5:00 p.m. Steak and Ale." We met some friends coming out of the cafe, and they told us we wouldn't get in without a reservation. We walked in, and were seated immediately. (On our way back to my car, Ann took my arm, and I will never forget the thrill I felt from her touch.) 16th. "Started sitting with Ann in morning services." 17. "Spent evening at Ann's."20th "Hosted, with Ann, 42 party at my house." (She brought the desert.). 22nd. "Watched TV at Ann's house." On the 23'rd I was to have a birthday dinner with my daughter's family at Steak and Ale. I didn't tell them I was bringing Ann. My daughter was surprised, but gave Ann a big hug, and we had a great time.
Later that day, Ann left town to babysit a new great-granddaughter. She would leave on Sunday and come back on Friday. This continued through March, and I saw Ann regularly on the weekends. During the week we would call and write each other. The granddaughter with whom she was staying became vitally interested in our romance, and would say such things in the evening as "Did he call?" "Did you get a letter?"
Late in March, she discontinued baby sitting, and I saw her nearly every day of the week--at her house, my house, at parties, at church.
On April 26, I asked Ann to marry me! We called all our kids and told them! We purchased the rings on May 2, and married in front of the fireplace in her living room on May26. Our pastor, Dr. D. L. Lowrie performed the ceremony. About 40 people attended, with standing room only. We had the reception at our house.
We didn't have a formal honeymoon, but just beginning our life together in her home was all the h0honeymoon we needed.
This was a whirlwind romance, but we had a great marriage!
If I did something that offended her, I would apologize, and almost immediately she would end it with saying "I'm sorry I was ugly."
Following heart surgery, she died on the day after our 7th anniversary. The church auditorium was packed for her funeral. She was dearly beloved by all!
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